Reversing-gear mechanism



1930. c. c. BERTRAM I REVERSING GEAR MECHANISM Filed May 15. 1922 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 lia /826501 C/arezzce a zervfierz rrzm Patented Jan. 7 193d UNITED STATES PATENT orrl'ca CLARENCE CASPER BER'IRAM, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO BABCO NU- FACT'UBING CollP ANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A. CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS REYERSING-GEAR MECHANISM Application filed Kay 13, 1922. Serial 1T0. 560,606.

This invention relates to motion imparting devices, and more particularly pertains to an improved form of power operated reverse gear for locomotive engines and the like.

While, for the purpose of convenience in describing, this invention is illustrated as a power reverse gear, for steam locomotives, it will be obvious that it finds a wide field of utility for other purposes.

The principal objects and features which characterize this invention reside in: the provision of improved means for transmitting motion in one of two opposite directions through prescribed limits under the application of fluid pressure; the provision of improved means for imparting and controlling motion under the application of manual and fluid pressures; the provision of improved means for imparting rectilinear motion through the application of fluid pressure; the provision of improved means for reversing the valve mechanism of a steam locomotive engine; the provision of improved means embodyin manually and fluid pressure operated mechanisms for reversing the valve mechanism of a steam locomotive engine; the provision of improved means for reversing and for varying the cut-off of a steam locomotive engine, either manually or under independent power or both; the provision of improved means for controlling the cut-01f and for reversing the valve mechanism of a steam locomotive engine by the application of fluid pressure; the provision of improved means for manually controlling the application of fluid pressure for varying the cutoff and for reversing the valve mechanism of a. steam locomotive engine; the provision of improved means for manually adjusting the position of an element to be moved, and for applying and controlling independent pressure for aidin in the manual ad ustment of the device; an the provision of improved means whereby the required adjustment of the valves of a steam engine may be accomplished with a minimum of physical effort on the part of the operator yet with absolute safety and precision. 7

As further characterizing this invention are: improved means for developing recti;

independent source of power; and the provision of a device possessing the foregoin ficient in operation, and capable of universal application on steam locomotives for controlling the valve mechanisms thereof.

Still further objects and more specific features characterizing this invention are: the provlsion of improved valve operating mechanism for controlling application of fluid pressure; improved mechanism for actuating the valve by a manually controlled step-by-step. motion in the same direction as that being taken by the valve, and the embodiment of these features in a unit structure.

The foregoing and such other objects and features as may appear or be pointed out as this description proceeds are attained in one structural embodiment, for example, that illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the power operated reverse gear;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the manual control means therefor;

Figure 3' is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the valve casing;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, 5 is a cylinder provided with cylinder heads 6 and 7, a piston rod 8 operating in 5 opemng 9 1n the head 7, and a control rod bolts 11 which extend through the heads intov I I o n 0 features WhlCh 1s simple in construction, efi

threaded openings provided in the end fla es 12-12.

e piston rod 8 constitutes the motion impartin means and is rectilinearly movable in the cy nder 5, the inner end of said r od having into rall formed therewith a piston 13 provide wit the conventional packing rings 14. The" piston rod 8 is made hollow for a purpose which will presently appear and Slides through a packing 15 e1 in an enlargement 16 of the opening 9 by means of a gland 17, which latter is retained by a series of bolts 18. The piston rod 8 grojects beyond the packing and its gasket an has secured in 15 the outer end thereof a bearing eye 19 by means of a transverse key 20.

The cylinder head 6 is rovided with an extension 21, preferably, t ough not necessarily integral with the head, said extension '29 being strengthened by a web 22 and supportin a cup 23 which latter is axial to the cylin er and contains therein a pack ng 24 surrounding the control rod 10, said packing being secured by packing nut 25 threaded at 5 26 to the external surface of the cup 23.

The extension 21 forms the bottom of the control valve casin and is provided with a longitudinal bore 27 concentric with the axis of the cylinder, a sleeve 28 surrounding the :0 rod 10 and having an enlarged portion 29 1 'ng within the bore 27. The to surface of 4 tie extension 21 is referably at, as indicated at 30, and a va ve housing or cover section 31 is laced thereon and retained in osition by b0 ts 32. The cover section 31 a ords a chamber or chest 33 in which is longitudinally slidable a valve 34, in the present instance shown as takin the form of the wellknown D-type, the un er surface of the valve seating snugly on the surface 30. The intermediate portion of the valve is provided with an enlargement 35, recessed at 36 to receive a pin 37, said pin having integral curved arms 38-38 depending therefrom, which arms encircle the reduced portion 39 of the enlargement 29, these arms 38 fitting relatively snugly in the recess 39 so as to prevent relative movement between the sleeve and the valve. The top of the extension 21 is provided with an elongated opening 40 accommodat ng the pin 37 and its arms, and the portion of the extension 21 on either side of the opening 40 is rovided with the orts controlled by the valie 34. A source 0 fluid pressure, such as steam'or air, is i troduced into the chamber 33 through a conduit 41 The valve 34 is provided with recesses 43 in the undersurface thereof and near the ends of thevalve, the solid end portions 45 and 46 being of siiflicient thickness to cover the intake-ports 47 and. 48, respectively, when the valve is in theneutral or lap osition as shown in Figure 1. The port 47 ischarges, at 49, through the cylinder head 6 into the cylinder 5, and the port 48 is connected at 50 near the other end of the cylinder, through a duct 51. Exhaust ports 5252 communicate b a common duct 53 (best shown .in Figure 23 with an exhaust conduit 54. As shown in i ure 3, the ports 47, 48 and 52 are elongated an of sufficient distance apart to be completely bridged by one or the other of the recesses 43 in the valve when the latter is in the proper position. From the fore oing it will be seen that the valve is of a reciprocating D-type having outside admission so that no resilient retaining means for keeping the valve on its seat is absolutely necessary because the pressure being in the chamber 33 normally tends to seat the valve and thus prevent leakage.

In order to move the piston 13, motion is imparted to the valve 34 for admitting fluid under pressure to either end of the cylinder 5 and to the desired purpose there is provided a manually or otherwise operated control means for movin the valve, description of which follows. he piston rod 8 as previously pointed out, is hollow and is provided with an enlarged bore 55 which opens at the inner end of the rod to receive a tubular supporting element 56, one end of said tube pro ecting be end the piston 13 and having an annular ange 57 thereon, whereby the tube may be secured to the piston by means of bolts 58--58, which pass through the flange 57 into the piston 13. The tube 56 is provided with and serves to support fixedly a rack 59, screws 60-60 passing through the the tube and into the rack for retaining same. The tubular support 56 also serves to. support and guide a second rack 61, which latter 1S longitudinally movable relative the tube and disposed oppositely to the rack 59, the rack 61 extending beyond the tube and being connected b a screw 62 to one side of the inner end 0 the sleeve 28. The control element, which may be the short reach rod, extends through the sleeve 28 and is provided with a bifurcated bearing 63 carrying a transverse shaft 64, on which is mounted a pinion 65, said pinion being in permanent meshing engagement with both of the racks 59 and 61.

I provide an improved manually operable means for reciprocating the short reach rod 10, this rod being connected 'to the manual operating means to be described presently, the manual means being located within the cab of the locomotive. The manual operating means and means for setting the device at a desired position comprises a crosshead guide 66 provided with end foot portions 6767 by which the same may be fixedly secured in the locomotive cab adjacent the engineers position. The crosshead guide preferably comprises two spaced bars 68 and 69, the upper bar 68 having a series of rack teeth 79 in the top face thereof. A crosshead 71 is slidable between the bars of the crosshead guide and is provided with an upstandsaid plunger being maintain ing handle 72 having a plun r 73 therein,

in the lowermost position by a coil spring impinging upon same, and said plunger ca g a b 0c 75 provided with a series of teet 76 for engagement with the teeth 70. The Inn er rod 3 extends up through the to o the andle and is formed with an eye 7 seating in one portion 78 of a bellscrank lever 79, which atter is pivoted at 80 to the handle 72. The other portion 81 of the bell-crank lever forms a gri which lies normally at an angle to said hand e 72, and when.the handle is ras said lever is swung toward the'han e t us raising the teeth 76 out of engagement with the teeth 70 and permitting movement of the crosshead. Connection is made between the crosshead 71 and the rod 10 by a pin 82, which extends laterally from the crosshead, and a link member 83 which engages said pin. A reduced threaded portion 84 of the short-reach rod 10 passes through the lower art of the link 83, a pair of nuts 86 being isposed on either side of the link member on said threaded portion 84 for facilitatin adjustment of the. reach-rod relative to sai link member when setting the device upon installation.

In the installation of the device on the usual type of steam locomotive, the cylinder 5 is mounted by means of the foot pieces 87-87 on a convenient part of the framework of the locomotive, usually on the so-called running board, forward of the cab, the pivot member 19 being connected b asuitable bolt or the like, not shown, to t e conventional long-reach rod, not shown, thisv long-reach rod usually extending to the valve mechanism and being connected to the reverse shaft lever.

The short-reach rod 10 extends through the front end of the cab of the locomotive, the

crosshead .guide 66 being mounted on some suitable part of the boi er or at any other point convenient to the engmeers position.

In this mounting of the device, it will be seen that the short-reach rod, cylinder, manual control element, and piston rod are all in substantially axial alinement, thus avoiding any fulcrum points which might cause vibration or loose coupling of one sort or another.

As shown in Figure 1, the parts are in a balanced or neutral position, the valve 34 being in the lap position. Assuming that it is desired to move the valve mechanism of the locomotive into forward running position, the handle 72 is grasped and the latch for same released. 'The handle 72 and the block 71 are then moved to the right in Figure 2, which, for the sake of convenience, is here assumed to be toward the forward end of the device, which movement of the block 71 slides the short-reach rod 10 toward the ri ht-hand end of the cylinder 5, as seen in Flgure 1. The piston 13-and piston rod 8 being stationary, this forward movement of the short-reach rod will cause the inion 65 carried thereby to be rotated in t e direction of the arrow A, due to the fact that the rack 59 is stationa and said pinion is engaged therewith. e movement of the pinion causes the rack 61 and the sleeve 28 to be moved in the direction of the arrow B in Figure 1, resulting in an exposure of the port 47 and admission of flui under pressure thereto from the chamber 33. Fluid 1s simultaneously exhausted from the opposite end of the cylinder through duct 51, port 48, and exhaust pipe 54.

The pressure fluid enters the rear or lefthand end of the cylinder as seen in Figure 1, and imparts motion in a forward direction to the piston 13. As the valve 34 abuts the forward end of the casin 31, the rod 10 is stopped. As the cylin er responds to the pressure exerted thereon and moves in a forlap position because immediately the fluid.

pressure is cut ofi from the rear end of the,

cylinder the piston ceases to move and conse},

quently' no more motion is imparted to the valve. When the valve is moved to the right, the port 48 is exposed to communication with the exhaust port 52, but when the valve goes back to lap position the port 48 is'also closed so that there is substantially anequilization or balancing of pressure on either side of the I piston to assist in preventing its accidental movement. Assuming that it is desired to move the piston more than one step, or ratherto cause its continuous motion in the desired direction, the operator may continue the motion of the piston to its uttermost limit by imparting a continuous motion to the handle 72, the friction of thevalve keeping it open and thus continuing the motion of the piston. This substantially continuous motion is imparted to the piston because as long asthe shaft 64 is kept moving rectilinearly the device will automatically pick up and move practically continuously in one direction, the operator following through. To move the piston in the opposite direction, regardless of its'position in the cylinder, the movement of the handle 72 is merely reversed, and the cylinder returned step-by-step or, if desired, continuously to the neutral or latched position and then, if desired, continued to the reverse position. It will, of course, be understood that when the device is operated to v reverse'the locomotive valve mechanism, the

' operation is identical with that for the forward running positions, with the exception.

-that the port 48 is exposed and admits fluid pressure to the right-hand end of the cylinder, thus reversing the direction of the movement Thus the device is of thepiston therein.

' in full control of-the operator, and while the device is-operated entirely independently of any great hysical efiort on the part of the operator, t 1e device is extremely sensitive to the control. It will be observed that when the device is in the position shown 'in Figures 1 and 2, it being understood that in position on a locomotive the each rod 10 is continuous, the locomotive valve gear is also in the neutral or lap position so that no steam can reach the cylinders and the locomotive is be followed through with this reverse gear 5 n combinatlon, reclprocatmg motion impartand that the handle 72 is moved forwardly for running the engine forward and backwardly for running the engine backward, so that there can be no confusion to the en ineer as to the running positionsof the (ivice. Furthermore, the degreeofstep-by-step adjustment permitted is only limited by the length of the stroke of the valve 34, that is, with a short-stroke valve as shown each step of movement of the piston will be a very small portion of the full motion in either direction of the locomotive valve gear. Furthermore, the continuous movement is only limited by the degree of motion of the manual control means. Thus the engineer is enabled to change the travel of the valves of the engine at will, so that when starting a longer stroke may be given to the valve and more steam admitted and as speed is increased the valve gear may be latched up so as to shorten the cut-ofl.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character described,

ing means, means for actuating said motion imparting means, manually operable controlling means coaxially related to and arranged within and guided by said motion imparting means for the actuating means for manually changing the relation of the latter to the motion imparting means, and means operated by the motion imparting means for returning the actuating means to normal relation theremeans.

-to andl forcl ocking said motion imparting '2. In a device of the characterdescribed, in combination, an element to be moved,

'means for im arting movement to said element, means or applying fluid pressure to.

said movement im arting means, means for manually controlhn the application .fluid pressure u on sald'e ement,-and gearing arranged wit in and operated by the movement of said element to be-moved for arresting theapplication of fluid pressure.

- 3. In' a power reverse mechanism, the

being adapted to engage with each other by a rotating movement 0 one of the said parts.

4. In a reverse gear mechanism, a cylinder having a piston therein, a pair of relatively movable racks carried by said piston one. of which 1S fixed thereto, a valve for controllin fluid pressure to said cylinder and connected to one of said racks, and manually operated means connecting both of said racks, said manually operated means extending through said cylinder.

5. In a reverse gear mechanism, a cylinderhaving a piston therein, a pair of relatively movable racks carried by said piston, one of which is fixed thereto, a valve for controlling fluid pressure to said cylinder and connected to one of said racks, and manually operated means connecting both of said racks, said manually operated means extendin" into said cylinder, and into said valve.

' 6. In a reverse gear mechanism, a cylinder having a piston therein, a pair of relatively movable racks carried by said piston one of which is fixed thereto, a valve for controlling fluid pressure to said cylinder and connected to one of said racks, manually operated means including a pinion connecting said racks and a connecting rod extending into said cylinder.

7. In a reverse gear mechanism, a cylinder having a piston therein provided with a hollow piston rod, a valve for controlling flow of fluid under pressure to said cylinder, a valve stem provided with a rack lying in said piston rod, a rack fixed to and movable with said rod, and manually operable means for the valve including a pinion connecting said racks.

8. In a device of the character described, in combination, an element to be moved in response to fluid under pressure, a valve for controlling the application of fluid under pressure to said element to be moved, means for operating said valve including a pair of relatively movable racks both supported and guided by the element to be moved, and one of which is connected to said valve and the controlling the applicationof fluid under ressure to said element to be moved, means or operating said valve including a pair of relatively movable racks both supported and guided by the element to be moved, and one of which is connected to said valve and the other to said element to be moved, the other of said racks being operated by said element to be moved, and manually operable means having operative connection to said racks for imparting movement to one of same to cause movement of said valve in one direction, movement of the element to be moved imparting movement to the valve in the opposite direction. y

. 10. In a-deviceof the character described, in combination, an element to be moved in response to fluid under pressure, and having a recess therein, a valve for controlling the application of fluid under pressure to said element to be moved, means for operating said valve including a pair of relatively movable racks both supported by the element to be moved, and located in said recess, and one of which is connected to said valve, and .the other to said element to be moved, and manually operable means having operative con nection in said recess to sand racks for imparting movement to one of same to cause movement of said valve in one direction.

11. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, a valve for controlling flow of fluid to said cylinder, means for moving said valve, a piston rod for said pistion, a valve stem extending into said piston rod within said cylinder, and rack and pinion mechanism Within said cylinder having a part connected to said piston rod forming a connection between said piston rod and valve stem for imparting motion to said valve independently of said valve moving means.

12. In a, device of the character described, in combination, a cylinder, a piston operable in saidcylinder and having a piston rod, a valve and manual operating means therefor for controlling flow of fluid to said cylinder, and a connected rack and'pinion mechanism located in the cylinder having a part connected to the piston rod for connecting said valve and manual operating means to the a valve and manual operating means therefor for controlling flow of fluid of said cylinder, and a connected rack and pinion mechanism f located in the cylinder having a part connected to the piston rod for connecting said valve and manual operating means to the piston, said piston, rack and pinion, valve and manual operating means bein all disposed for movement on substantially the same longitudinal axis. 7 I

14. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinder, a piston operable in said 0 linder and having a piston rod a valve an manual operating means there or for controlling flow of fluid to said cylinder, and a connected rack and pinion mechanism located in the cylinder having a part connected to the piston rod for connecting said valve and manual operating means to the piston, said manual means eing connected to said pinion for imparting movement thereto, and to said valve, and said valve being connected to said rack.

15. In a device of the character described. in combination, a cylinder, a pis on operable in said cylinder and having a piston rod. a valve and manual operating means therefor for controlling flow of fluid to said cylinder, a rack connected to said valve and a rack carried by and disposed Within said piston rod, and a pinion connected to said racks and receiving motion in one direction from said manual operating means for moving the valve.

16. In adevice of the character described, in combination, a cylinder, a piston operable in said 0 linder and having a piston rod, a valve an manual operating means therefor for controlling flow of fluid to said cylinder, a rack connected to said valve and a rack fixedly carried by said piston, and a pinion connected to said racks and receiving motion in one direction from said manual operating means for moving the valve, said piston, racks, valve, inion and manual operating means being ointly displaceable along substantially the same rectilinear plane andarranged within the cylinder. 1

17. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinder, a piston operable in said cylinder and having a piston rod, a valve and manual operating means therefor for controlling flow of fluid to said cylinder, a rack connected to said valve and a rack fixedly carried by said piston, and a pinion connected to said racks and receiving motion in one direction from said manual operating means for moving the valve, said piston, racks, valve, pinion and manual operating means being arranged I 'p flne, an in' the same direction.

atively connected to both o I connected rack and pinion located in the cylof racks arranged in said recess one of w ch is-connected to said valve and the other .of

'whichis connected to said piston rod, and a pinion operated by said manual means and dis'pomd adjacent to said griston and operinder for connecting said valve and manual operating means to the piston, and said man- 7 ual o crating means being externally of the cyhn er.

19. In a device of the character described, in combination, an element to be moved in response to fluid under ressure, a valve for controlling the a plication of fluid under pressure to said e ement to be moved, means for operating said valve including a pair of rel-,

atively movable racks both supported and imparting movement to one of same to cause guided by. the element to be moved, and one of which is connected to said valve, and the other of which is connected to the element'to be moved and manually operable means having operative connection to said racks for movement of said valve in one direction, all of said elements to be moved, valve, racks and manual operating means being arranged formovement in the same direction in a common plane.

20. In a reverse gear 0 rating mechanism, a piston operable in a cy inder to actuate the reverse gear, a valve for controlling flow of fluid under ressure to move said piston, a pair of relatively movable racks in said cylinder one of which is actuated by the piston, a connection in said cylinder between. said racks and a manually operable member, and the other of said racks being connected to said valve to produce a movement thereof alternately by said manual means and by said piston for controlling flow of fluid under pressure to the latter.

21. In a reverse gear operating mechanism, in combination, a piston movable in response to fluid under pressure, a valve for controlling such fluid under pressure, and manually operable means for actuating said valve, inc uding two relatively movable racks, one of which is connected to and supported by and the other of which is guided by said piston, for effecting the movement'of said valve and thereby application of fluid under pressure to said piston in predetermined increments.

22. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinder, a piston, fluid passageways leading to said cylinder, a re,

said racks, and a n tan I ciprocating valve for controlling fluid under pressure in said'pasagewa to eflect movement of said-pistom'manua y actuated means for operating said valve to i and means for resetting the 'va a to lap position including a air of'racks and a pinion within said cylin er and so ported by said piston and interconnecting t and said manual means.

23'. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinder, a piston, fiuidpas- .sageways leading to said cylinder, a reciprocat' valve for controlling fluid under pressure 111' said passageways to effect movement of said piston, saidv piston having a hollow piston rod, manually actuated means extend- I ing into said 0 linder for operatin said valve to open t e same, and means orresetting the valve to lap position including a pair of racks and a pinion supported for interconnection to said valve, piston and manual means arranged in said hollow piston rod. 24. In a device of the character described, in combination, cylinder, a piston operable in said cylinder, a valve structure mounted at one end of said cylinder in axial alinement valve member, a rack carried by and moving with said piston in said cylinder, asecond rack arranged in said cylinder and connected to impart movement to said valve member, a pinion operatively conn'ectin said racks, and a manually operated mem r lying axially within said cylinder and supporting said pinion whereb movement thereto will serve to actuate said valve member to admit fluid to move said iston which in turn will act through said rst named rack and said-pinion to return the valve to lap position. 7

2b. In a device of the character described, in combination, a cylinder, a piston operable in said cylinder and having a hollow piston olpen the same,

e piston, valve,

with said piston and including a movable rod, a valve structure mounted at one end of said cylinder in axial alinement with said piston and including a movable valve member, a rack fixedly mounted in said hollow piston rod,in said cylinder, a second rack arran ed in'said hollow piston rod and connected to impart movement to said valve member, a pinion operatively connecting said racks lying in said hollow piston rod, and a manually operated member lying axially within said cylinder extending into said piston rod and supporting said pinion whereby movement thereto will serve to'actuate said valve member to admit fluid to move said Ipiston which in turn will act through said rst named rack and said pinion to return the valve to lap position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name. 

